Maria Cristina Arenas-Toro
January 11, 1951 ~ January 1, 2026
Maria Cristina Arenas Toro, 74, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026. Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, in 1951, Maria Cristina lived a life defined by love, courage, adventure, music, and an unbreakable spirit.
She was the widow of Charlie Murphy and forever loved Eduardo Aristizábal, the father of her daughter—both of whom she now rejoins. She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Paula Andrea Burke; her adored grandson, Bobby Sebastian Burke, lovingly known as “Mi Muchacho,” the light of her life; and her son-in-law, Bobby Burke, whom she called her “son in love.”
She is also survived by her beloved sisters, Maria Elena and Luz Amparo, and her brother, Juan Mauricio, as well as her cherished “Adorados Sobrinos”—Jaime, Pablo, Thomas, Pamela, Samuel, and Isabella—each of whom held a special place in her heart. She will also be deeply missed by her loyal companion, her beloved dog Rex.
Maria Cristina was joyfully welcomed into heaven by her parents, Santiago Arenas Ramos and Imelda Toro de Arenas, and by her brother, Pablo Emilio Arenas.
Although she spent most of her life in Medellín, Colombia, Maria Cristina followed life wherever it led—living in Costa Rica, where she met Charlie, then Panama, and eventually Florida, where she made her home with her daughter. Wherever she lived, she left behind lovingly tended plants, deep friendships, and music that always seemed to linger.
First and foremost, Cristina was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her love for her family was fierce, unconditional, and unmistakable. She was a curious artist with an eye for beauty, a passionate gardener who found peace in nurturing life.
She will be remembered most for her hard work, radiant happiness and contagious energy. Music lived in her soul, and she was always dancing—especially to her beloved porros and cumbias. Her joy was expressed through movement, laughter, and an unwavering love of life.
Maria Cristina was stubborn in the way strong women often are—resilient, brave, and unwilling to be defined by hardship. She was a fighter through and through, bravely battling cancer, and by God’s grace, her family was gifted an extra year with her. Her heart was big, but she also believed in strong boundaries: if you crossed her, she would not hesitate to cut you out and keep dancing forward.
In keeping with her free spirit, Maria Cristina did not wish for a formal service. She was not meant to be confined to a church or a single place. Her ashes will be spread in the water, carried at last to the ocean. Her family will gather in May to celebrate her life and honor her wishes.
To honor Maria Cristina, her family invites all who loved her to light a candle on January 11, 2026, what would have been her 75th birthday. Put on some music, dance a little, and plant something—just as she would have done.
She lived fully, loved deeply, and danced often. Her spirit will continue to bloom wherever there is music, movement, water, and love.
She was the widow of Charlie Murphy and forever loved Eduardo Aristizábal, the father of her daughter—both of whom she now rejoins. She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Paula Andrea Burke; her adored grandson, Bobby Sebastian Burke, lovingly known as “Mi Muchacho,” the light of her life; and her son-in-law, Bobby Burke, whom she called her “son in love.”
She is also survived by her beloved sisters, Maria Elena and Luz Amparo, and her brother, Juan Mauricio, as well as her cherished “Adorados Sobrinos”—Jaime, Pablo, Thomas, Pamela, Samuel, and Isabella—each of whom held a special place in her heart. She will also be deeply missed by her loyal companion, her beloved dog Rex.
Maria Cristina was joyfully welcomed into heaven by her parents, Santiago Arenas Ramos and Imelda Toro de Arenas, and by her brother, Pablo Emilio Arenas.
Although she spent most of her life in Medellín, Colombia, Maria Cristina followed life wherever it led—living in Costa Rica, where she met Charlie, then Panama, and eventually Florida, where she made her home with her daughter. Wherever she lived, she left behind lovingly tended plants, deep friendships, and music that always seemed to linger.
First and foremost, Cristina was a devoted mother and grandmother. Her love for her family was fierce, unconditional, and unmistakable. She was a curious artist with an eye for beauty, a passionate gardener who found peace in nurturing life.
She will be remembered most for her hard work, radiant happiness and contagious energy. Music lived in her soul, and she was always dancing—especially to her beloved porros and cumbias. Her joy was expressed through movement, laughter, and an unwavering love of life.
Maria Cristina was stubborn in the way strong women often are—resilient, brave, and unwilling to be defined by hardship. She was a fighter through and through, bravely battling cancer, and by God’s grace, her family was gifted an extra year with her. Her heart was big, but she also believed in strong boundaries: if you crossed her, she would not hesitate to cut you out and keep dancing forward.
In keeping with her free spirit, Maria Cristina did not wish for a formal service. She was not meant to be confined to a church or a single place. Her ashes will be spread in the water, carried at last to the ocean. Her family will gather in May to celebrate her life and honor her wishes.
To honor Maria Cristina, her family invites all who loved her to light a candle on January 11, 2026, what would have been her 75th birthday. Put on some music, dance a little, and plant something—just as she would have done.
She lived fully, loved deeply, and danced often. Her spirit will continue to bloom wherever there is music, movement, water, and love.
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Muchas Gracias por todo el amor que nos has dado. Siempre estaras en nuestro corazon. Que descansas en pas.
Te qeremos mucho!
Tu adorado Sobrino Jaime Andres, Stephanie y Logan